FEBRUARY 18, 2025

Dear reader,

Real estate insiders in New York like to complain about how you could once buy an entire building in Brooklyn without going bankrupt. I suppose the Torontonian equivalent would be lamenting the loss of affordable lofts in Leslieville.

Around Y2K, developers started gobbling up the city’s old factories for conversions. Leslieville—littered with industrial relics sitting on then-cheap land—became a natural target. And so began the neighbourhood’s transformation from fly-over country to one of Toronto’s most fought-over landing spots for couples and young families. 

Curb Appeal’s top post today is one of those hard loft pioneers: a 1,900-square-foot home on Carlaw in what used to be the Wrigley chewing gum factory. It has all the beaux-arts bells and whistles, and it’s currently going for $1.6 million—roughly nine times what it would have sold for in 2000.

Also in today’s newsletter: a Georgian looker in Forest Hill built by an HGTV staple. And $14.5 million for a Blue Mountain hideaway full of lemon trees. For all of our real estate coverage and more, visit torontolife.com or subscribe to our print edition.

—Barry Jordan Chong, city and real estate editor

A one-plus-one-bedroom, one-plus-one-bathroom hard loft unit right on Carlaw. The property comes with original industrial flourishes, warm hardwood and huge windows, which make the space feel even bigger. It’s within walking distance of Crow’s Theatre, the shops on Queen, and half a dozen bus and streetcar options. And motorists are a short drive from both Kingston Road and the DVP.

Here’s a 4,300-square-foot Georgian revival sandwiched between Bathurst and the Beltline. Built by HGTV’s Jim Caruk, it comes with a five-car driveway, a nanny suite and a garage out back with garden suite potential. 

What escape in Blue Mountain would be complete without a dining room that looks like a diner, lemon trees, an indoor farm, a games room, Japanese charred wood, two kitchens and a bathroom with a fridge?

In the latest issue: Scottie Barnes is the new face of the Raptors—and the team’s best chance of salvation. Plus, a ranking of the city’s best new pastas, an equestrian scandal for the ages, and more. Still not receiving Toronto Life at home? Subscribe today.

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